Latest London Fashions.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 168, 16 July 1892, Page 4 (Supplement)

Latest London Fashions.

(from (\ur special correspondent.)

London, May .9;

The fashion of wearing toques made of the same material as the dress and jacket has been revived lately. This is not a style likely to call for much effusion from professional milliners, as these little caps are most frequently made at home, being such a very simple matter for any girl with even a small amount of taste and gumption and moderately clover fingers to achieve. I must confess, in spite of any probable contempt on the part of the superior person referred to, however, to a weakness for a natty cap or capote en suite with the costume, provided the material, of course, be suitable for the purpose and discretion be used in tho manufacture thereof.

A good example is shown in this week's millinery sketch. The walking costume ia of a light grey woolly tweed with a black check line running through it. The

capote is made on a black not shape with quite low crown, and turned up bub very close brim, covered with a thick black netted beading. The tweed is then carefully arranged in folds and pleats fco form the crown, and at tbe left side towards the back the folds are caught through the brim by a jetted arrow. Jet,' black lace, and cowslips are a favourite combination jusfc now for a spring hat, and ifc makes a very pretty one. There is a rumour of large hats being again in fashion, and I shall soon describe some rather pretty ideas in lace, which, I have reason fco believe, will alternate with other newer styles in popular favour. Still it is too early to talk definitely about summer fashions, and you are, I suppose, only jusb beginning bo dream of spring, and lighter clothing. Meantime, I have a very pretty design for you in the shape of a stylish bodice useful for afternoon or semi-evening wear.

' \' i ' . ■ ' The sleeves, rovers, and uudev-bodice (which is gracefully draped on to a fitting lining), with fche skirb, are all made in sofb Liberty silk, the skirt being well stiffened and lined fco prevent the poor appearance likely to occur in eosoffc and thin a material for making an ' umbrella' skirt. The collar and over jacket with V-shaped piece completing the drapery in front, which is attached to the over jacket, thus keeping the wholo in place, is of a much darker tint of velveb. Pale green silk and dark green velveb are the shades chosen in fche model, bufc the design admits of any amount of variety. For instance—shrimppink silk and dark brown velvet, or pale fawn and dark green. For a more economical toilet cashmere or nun's veiling may be substituted for silk.

For the third illustration I am sending you a very pretty and uncommon walkingdress. It ia really bighb, as regards the skirt, but owing to fche neafc arrangement down the.front, does nob present the very skimpy and scanty [appearance that many gowns jusb now have. ,

The walking dress is oi rather light brown habit cloth, with sleeves and trimmings of dark brown velvet. The skirt is gored as now-rfe rigueur, and sleeves long enough to reach the knuckles of the hands. Ihe bat (lined with velveb and trimmed with brown feather trimming) and muff are of cloth" to match, and a jabot of heavy lace finishes the throat . j-- mQ The following description of a handsome black dress may be useful as a hint to some of my readers. Heavy black camels bar cloth is used for the costume. The sk.it is cut in the usual plain fashion, and ha i just a bint of a train, although it is.nfce nd edfor street wear. Around the edge is a two inch border of black astrachan fur, and justahpve^Stoan'elaborate biding-i|

gold and ;black-. soutache. -The '.bodice-is long, and has for an edge finish a deep fringe formed of- strung ' beads, gilt and black alternating; above this' is a braiding similar 'to that oh the skirt. About the throat is a high turned-over, collar of astrachan fur, and the deep cuffs oh" the sleeves matchi The muff is of asfcrachan, and the bonnet, made of a piece of the camel's hair, has oh it a border of astrac.han and stiff shaving-brush pompons in which so_ne gold threads show through the black feathers. The gloves are black undressed kid. Such a costume would be pretty trimmed with jet after, this fashion»; or, if.greater simplicity were desired, the fringe could be silk cord, the braiding done wifch the ordinary black braid, and not a glint of either gold or jet sparkling to relieve the sombreness.

Roselle.